164 THE POETRY OF FLOWERS 
The ancients believed that, coming from the fields of Col¬ 
chis, it owed its birth to some drops of the magic liquor Medea 
is said to have prepared, in order to restore the aged iEson to 
the vigour of youth. This fabulous origin led many to suppose, 
fora long period, that the plant was a sure preservative against 
all manner of diseases. The Swiss encircle the necks of their 
children with this flower, and believe that they protect them 
from every evil. The false opinion of the marvellous virtues of 
this plant has misled the wisest men; and it required all the 
experience of Haller to dissipate the vain superstitions of the 
ignorant. 
The flower has neither leaves nor stalks. A long tube, white 
as ivory, is its only support; the flowers die off in October, 
and leave no external appearance of seeds. “These lie buried 
all the winter within the bulb; in spring they grow up on a 
fruit-stalk, and are ripe about the time of hay-harvest.” — “As 
this plant blossoms late in the year, and probably would not 
have time to ripen its seeds before winter, Providence has so 
framed its structure, that it may be performed at a depth with¬ 
in the earth, out of the reach of the usual effects of frost; and 
as seeds buried at such a depth are known not to vegetate, a 
no less admirable provision is made to raise them above the 
surface when they are perfected, and to sow them at a proper 
season.” It thus mingles its fruits with the flowers of spring, 
and its flowers with the fruits of autumn; at all times the 
lambs shun it, and the young shepherdess becomes melancholy 
at the sight of it: so the melancholy-hearted oft weaves a 
wreath of its pale blue flowers, consecrating it to the memory 
of happy days which have fled to return no more. 
Let fate do her worst, there are relics of joy, 
Bright dreams of the past, which she cannot destroy; 
Which come in the night-time of sorrow and care, 
And bring back the features that joy used to wear. 
Moore. 
